Congressman Hastings testified this week about H.R. 4652, a bill introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) that would vastly increase the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate not just the Columbia and Snake Rivers, but also the economic activities that take place throughout Central Washington that rely on water from these rivers. As written, the bill would give broad authority to EPA to coordinate oversight of Pacific Northwest rivers, including associated economic activities like irrigation, hydropower and barge traffic.